This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

All of that in and of itself - nothing wrong with it. However, upon closer examination of the group's eblast and website, we found the event was to be held at the Westchester office of Councilman Bill Rosendahl of the 11th Districtl.

We contacted Mike Bonin, Rosendahl's Chief of Staff for a further explanation. Were the West LA Democrats holding a partisan, political fundraiser on city property?

Bonin was prompt and courteous in his reply to us. He explained to us that the Council Office is part of a larger city facility that includes a park, senior center, library and other city departments. The conference room is available to the community, free of charge, provided a city employee is available to open and lock up. Numerous community groups, city agencies, etc. use the room for a variety of meetings. Even the Association of Square Dancers has set up shop there.

"The City Attorney's office advises that no political or partisan group is allowed to raise money on City property unless they are charged a fee for use of the room. Since we charge no such fee, no fundraising is permitted. That point will be underscored to the groups using the room."Mike Bonin,Chief of Staff, Council Member Bill Rosendahl

Bonin did however have a concern about the Democrats raising funds on the city property. He checked with the City Attorney's office and indeed, this is not allowed. The only exception would be if the Democrats were charged a fee for the room, but as its the Council Office's policy not to charge a fee, the Democrats will not be allowed to raise money.

We salute Bonin for getting back to us so quickly, and for addressing what could have been a very sticky problem for the City.

24 Comments:

Anonymous said:

They just got caught and now you're saluting them. Please!!! Rosendahl is an idiot. Don't you remember he's the one who signed off on a special event waiver a couple of months back for a Dr. Price ceremony? The gays stormed city council and demanded they not waive the fees. Bill was dumb enough to stand in council and say he didn't know what he had signed.

Nice to know that there is at least one responsible member of the City Council. Contrast his actions with the embarassing antics of Janice Hahn, who is obsessed with getting her name in the gator story rather than working on basic quality of life issues.

They do not deserve cheers at all. They just got caught. (Nice work there Sam)

According to the website posting this will still be a bash Arnold festival with Left Wing Sen Dunn and Union Wife Lyn Hilfenhaus bashing instead of coming up with any real solutions.

If any of these names seem familliar, Sen. Dunn bashes Arnold every chance he gets and Hilfenhaus has been running all over town saying she is running for State Assembly in the Republican held 38th Assembly District... fat chance of that.

I guess she will use her opposition to notifying parents their child is having an abortion as a way to show she can win a Republican seat.

If Jim plays his cards right, he could win. There are enough Dems in the Valley and Cameron Smythe is an empty suit. Jim has made quite a name for himself. Too bad he doesn't run against the other Smith.

Don't forget republicans can't vote in a Democratic Primary, Jim, and all the Alger staff of Republicans blogging do not make for a single Democratic endorsement or in an attack on Labor by him and his supporters,gain him a single Labor supporter. Trying to steal the Kerry Grassroots name for himself was a real statement of character also. I guess defending choice in Jim's mind is a bad thing.

If Rosendahl says one more time he's the new kid on the block I'm going to throw up. Oh and someone please tell him he doesn't have to keep telling people during council meetings that he's gay. No one cares. Yes, he acts like the new kid on the block because he comes off like a moron.

Has our society gotten so bad that we congratulate people for abiding by the law? Isn't that kind of a prerequesite for being a good citizen? And in the case of an elected official, isn't upholding the law what they swear an oath to do?